The Smithsonian has over 137 million models and scientific replicas available, but at any given time only 2 percent of those items are shown. However, with advancements in 3D printing technology, the museum would be able to not only expand its reach across the country by creating replicas, but maintain a digital archive of historical pieces available to museums and schools across the country.

Pictured above is a piece representing this effort, a bust of Thomas Jefferson, that was recently installed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s exhibit “Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty.” Traditionally, the Smithsonian would have to use rubber molding and casting to bring replicas to other museums. But they were able to generate a detailed 3D model using a laser scanner (estimated to cost around $100,000) by Minolta, which is able to capture detail down to the micron (one thousandth of a millimeter), and the help of a design studio, Studio EIS. After which the model was turned into the replica you see above from a RedEye on Demand 3D printer. The process has since become a little more streamlined by using the aforementioned scanner, digital cameras, and digitization software.

“If we could leverage the power of 3D to bring a portion of that collection to the world that would be incredibly powerful, and definitely worth the expense,” Adam Metallo said to CNET, a coordinator on the 3D digitization at the Smithsonian.

However, a 3D printer can cost as much as $30,000 — an expense most schools can’t afford to justify. Of course 3D printers aren’t exactly what one would call a “mainstream market,” yet. Also, while the data will be available to anyone via a personal computer, the Smithsonian will have to make sure the software they utilize to digitally archive these models won’t become limited or obsolete in the future. In the end, it’s good to see that the Smithsonian has the foresight to consider using up-and-coming technology to create resources more widely accessible to the public.